We have nine NBA games to look forward to today. As the season is coming to a close, I have curated the best NBA bets for April 3 for you to consider for parlays. Relax and enjoy the games as the playoff picture becomes clearer.
Best NBA Bets For April 3, 2024
Trailblazers @ Hornets
Over 211.5 (-110)
The Portland Trailblazers visit Charlotte to take on the Hornets in the second and final game of their inter-conference season series. The previous match ended in a 13-point overtime win for the Hornets.
This matchup features teams with relatively young cores. While the Trailblazers are rebuilding their future post-Damian Lillard, the Hornets continue to disappoint despite drafting several top prospects over the last couple of years.
The Hornets are 13th in the East, set to have a top five pick in a ‘weak’ draft, while the Trailblazers are 14th in the West, potentially finishing with the worst record. With such a weak draft, there’s no real motivation to move up in the lottery, so expect a competitive game.
The Hornets have LaMelo Ball, Seth Curry, and Mark Williams sidelined with long-term injuries, while the Trailblazers have Anfernee Simons, Shaedon Sharpe, Matisse Thybulle, Shaedon Sharpe, Malcolm Brogdon, and Toumani Camara as absentees for this game.
Both teams come into this game off losing streaks. The Trailblazers are eighth in pace in the NBA over the past five games, with their opponents averaging 118 points during this span. The Hornets are embracing a more three-point-friendly approach, making more threes than they have all season.
In this bet, we’re backing the over because it’s a low number given recent track records of one team to jacking up three-point shots and the other team playing at a fast pace.
Lakers @ Wizards
Over 234.5 (-110)
The Washington Wizards welcome the Los Angeles Lakers to the Capital One Arena. This will be the second meeting of the season between both sides. The Lakers won the most recent encounter in LA by 3 points.
Both teams head into this matchup in decent to good form. The Wizards have won four of their previous seven games, while the Lakers have won seven of their previous eight.
The Wizards’ Bilal Coulibaly remains out, while the Lakers have Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent, and Cam Reddish as game-time decisions.
Both teams rank in the top four in pace in the NBA and are on the second night of a back-to-back, historically resulting in defenses taking a back seat due to fatigue.
Over the last five games, the Lakers have scored at least 114 points in four games, while the Wizards have scored at least 117 points in two of their previous four games.
In this NBA bet, we are backing the over because all stats point to that happening in this matchup, especially with many players potentially returning from injuries.
Thunder @ Celtics
Over 230.5 (-110)
The Oklahoma City Thunder travel to Boston to take on the Celtics in the second game of the season series. The previous game ended in a four-point win for the Thunder at the Paycom Center.
The Celtics are first in the East by a mile, competing against all-time great regular season teams, while the Thunder are third in the West, in a three-team race for the first seed.
The Celtics won their most recent game against the Charlotte Hornets on the road, while the Thunder lost to the 76ers on the road. The Thunder are on the second night of a back-to-back, with both games on the road.
The Thunder have their two leading scorers, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, as game-time decisions. While the Celtics currently have Jaylen Brown as a game-time decision.
Both teams have been reliable scorers, with the Celtics attempting the most three-pointers over the last five games, and the Thunder scoring at least 113 points in five of their previous seven games.
This is a bet where we are backing the over because of the sheer amount of elite shot-making talent on both teams, with expectations of a fast-paced game and a lot of three-pointers attempted.
These are my best NBA bets for April 3. Let’s repeat some recent successes.
Good luck with your bets.
Odds courtesy of DraftKings as of approximately 11:00 a.m. EST on April 3. These are for entertainment purposes only and by no means a guarantee. Wager responsibly.
